Article: Successof Arena Football Quiets Skeptics

Professional football traditionalists scoffed in the summer of 1987 when the Arena Football League opened with four teams playing indoors, but no one is laughing now.

The league has averaged more than 11,000 fans per game for three seasons to see this combination football and hockey. Late night tape-delayed telecasts have matched the National Hockey League in prime time, and live telecasts are expected this year.

"It takes about $1.1 million to break even, and most clubs are doing well," said AFL President Joseph O'Hara, who likes the potential so much he will leave his job and return as an owner for the second time this year. "Tampa Bay is averaging 20,000 (fans) a game, and ...

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